Topic: 1976 Stingray Bumper Installation
in Forum: C3 Body
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Hi Everyone
We have a 76 Stingray convertible and are trying to install new rear and front bumpers on it. We bought Truflex bumpers but no installation guide enclosed. The rear bumper doens't seem to match up right. Any info would be greatly appreciated. My husbands words were "this is going to be a "bitch"!!!
Help
Desiree
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
Try this:
Bumper Link
This a link to all of the search words for bumper. I am positive there is some installation information within it. (I know because I have put some in before.)
Tux...Tuxblacray 2007-08-21 17:39:42
Bumper Link
This a link to all of the search words for bumper. I am positive there is some installation information within it. (I know because I have put some in before.)
Tux...

Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
Sorry give it a shot now I fixed it...
desiree, I replaced the front bumper a few months back and you husband is right it is a bx%ch but you just have to takeit slow. I would get so pist I would walk away. Coming off wasn't quite as bad as going back on. With the tru-flex being alot stiffer than the plastic one. You have to evenly work it across the honeycomb core top, bottom, left, and right. I have read somewhere that you can accually remount the bumper without the honeycomb. If I'm wrong please someone tell me? You just have to remember if you hit something be ready to go get another bumper. No cushion under neath the bumper and it will break/exploed like a egg shell. I replaced mine with the honey comb in place
and it was a BITCH. Another thing those nice dimpled areas on your new bumper, well they don't quite line up to the factory hole as you might think. So if you can place the bumper all the way on and somehow reach up inside and mark the holes on the new bumper you will be alot better off. Bolts to put it back on? I used the retainers not stock brackets. They were Ok but you have to attach them to the bumper or at least I had too. I drilled the holes for the retainer studs then drill a hole through the bumper lip that alined with the retainer holes on each side of the stud. Then tried rivets in those holes but that was a NO GO. So i got very small bolts with resesed heads and nuts and bolted each side. That way the retainers stayed in position for the finial bolt up. (Darn this is getting long
) Any way I'm doing the rear this weekend the same way, let you know. The hardest studs are the upper outside ones in front. Got to be really good at feeling and bending for those. Mine pulled up fine so I didn't even mess with them. Oh when tightening up the bumper on the stud be careful area may not be flush all around and trying to close a gap will pop the bumper lip
. I know this is pretty long but just trying to give you some advise. Hope this helps.



sgm2004
New bumpers on the rear and front on my 1976, they will have to be fitted, they do not match up right out of the box, you may have to put them on and take them off again, I did mine twice for the fit, I used small paint sticks for alignment, some sanding, onced aligned with the main body then off for painting. Time and patients matter, have something that sizes all the other separations between the other body parts so that all the joints are the same space apart. I used a business card folded twice. The car will look better if all match...Terry
spielman5 2007-08-26 15:25:53
As you can see from the hood, I wanted all the body lines to look the same. It takes time..
"I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry"

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
None of the replacement, or aftermarket bumper covers will EVER fit right...EVER. They will all need to be "massaged", and fitted to each individual car. Ya gotta remember that no two Corvette bodies were the same....they all had some dimensional differences. You'll probably wind up having to sand a little on the cover, and maybe even the body, to get a decent fit between the panels.
The factory urethane covers never fit perfect, either...
The factory urethane covers never fit perfect, either...

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Totally agree with ALL OF YOU just got the rear Tru-Flex in it will take some ajustment but will look good. One thing though didn't realize how much drilling for lights and lic anchors there would be, Guess expected too much.
sgm2004
in Forum: C3 Body
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